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08-August-2008
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Health Matters - Working in Spain
Health Matters
When starting a career abroad, you and your family's health care is a prime concern for recruitment abroad. Below is a brief guide to state and private healthcare options on the Costa del Sol available to ex-pats taking jobs in Spain.
As part of the Obelisk commitment to helping you make a good start to your career in Spain, the H.R. Department is happy to assist you with issues regarding health care in Spain.
State Healthcare
Among those who work in Spain, the state health care system has a good reputation. Health care on the Costa del Sol is administered under the Andalucian health system, the Sistema Andaluz de Salud (SAS). Those entitled to state health care (see below) will find an extensive network of health centres (centro de salud), outpatient departments (centro de consultas externas) and hospitals (hospital). Most towns have at least one health centre. The main hospitals are located in Marbella (Hospital Costa del Sol located on the east side of Marbella, opposite Los Monteros hotel) and Malaga.
Health centres provide primary health care and offer the services of GPs (médico de cabecera), paediatricians (pediatra - doctor's appointments for children up to the age of 14 are with a paediatrician) and vaccines. Some also have x-rays, family planning and minor surgery departments. If you are ill, you should see your GP in the first instance who may refer you to a specialist.
Many medical professionals on the Costa del Sol speak some English, although you should not assume that they will. Some health centres provide an interpreting service (usually run by volunteers) and the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella also has a team of interpreters.
Entitlement
All Obelisk employees working in Spain are issued with a full Spanish employment contract and therefore make contributions towards the Spanish social security system (similar to National Insurance contributions in the UK). When you are working in Spain, you and your dependents are entitled to free or subsidised medical treatment on the same terms as Spaniards.
Under the state health service, you are entitled to free GP, paediatrician and specialist consultations, hospitalisation, laboratory services and maternity care. Other services are subsidised in part (usually 75%). Prescriptions are free for pensioners and sufferers of chronic illnesses, and subsidised for everyone else (you pay 40% of the cost).
Non-dependents Entitlement
If you are relocating to your job in Spain with family members who are not dependents, they may be entitled to free or subsidised state health care.
Pensioners: Pensioners in receipt of a UK pension are entitled to free health care in Spain. They need form E-121, available from The Pension Service, International Pension Centre, Tyneview Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA (Tel: UK 0191-218 7777, Email: tvp.internationalqueries@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk). The E-121 form should be taken to your nearest health centre to register with a doctor.
Others: If you have been making social security contributions in an EU country for 2 years prior to your arrival to work in Spain, you are entitled to state health care for a limited period of time. You need form E-106, available within a claim pack provided by The Pension Service (see above).
Health Cards
When you have obtained your social security number (link here to official paperwork page), you should go to your nearest health centre and register yourself and your family with a GP. You need to take your passport (original and photocopy), a copy of your registration with the town hall (certificado de empadronamiento) and, if you are registering your children, their birth certificates. Your health care cards (tarjeta sanitaria) will be issued within a few months, although you and your family are covered for healthcare in the mean time.
Appointments
Appointments with a GP or paediatrician can be made in person at the health centre during office hours, by telephone (Tel: 902 505 060 - 24-hour) and online (www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud - go to cita médica). To book an appointment, you need to give your social security number. Appointments are usually available for the following day.
Emergency Care
While working overseas in Spain you may have a medical emergency. Most health centres have emergency clinics open during the same hours as the health centre itself and all large towns have at least one 24-hour emergency clinic. All hospitals offer 24-hour emergency services.
Emergencies are dealt with on a priority basis and the emergency is assessed when you arrive. Unless you have a life-threatening condition, expect a long wait at hospitals (shorter at health centres).
Emergency Numbers
The following are essential emergency telephone numbers.
Emergency Number: 112
Ambulance: 061 (for serious conditions only, as intensive care facilities are on board)
Sea Rescue: 900 202 202
Hospital Costa del Sol: 951 976 669
Dental Treatment
Free dental treatment is not an option if you have a job in Spain and the only treatment covered by the state health care system are dental emergencies dealt with at a hospital. Some extractions are subsidised.
Children aged between 6 and 15 are entitled to free dental treatment - 1 annual check-up and fillings. Orthodontic treatment is not covered under any circumstances.
There are numerous private dental clinics on the Costa del Sol and many dentists speak English. During your recruitment in Spain, ask around for recommendations and check fees as these vary widely.
Private Health Care
As part of your career in Spain as an Obelisk employee you are automatically entitled to state health care, but like many working abroad, you may prefer private medical treatment. Numerous private professionals provide services on the Costa del Sol and there are several large private hospitals. Many doctors are English-speaking or have staff who speak English. Advantages of private medical treatment include a choice of doctors, lack of waiting lists and if you need to see a specialist, you may not need a referral from a GP. On the other hand, private medical treatment is expensive unless you take out a private medical insurance policy.
Many national and multi-national companies offer medical insurance on the Costa del Sol. Shop around as policy cover and fees vary enormously. Private medical care costs from €50 a month, depending on your age. Most companies offer policies for individuals, couples and families. If you do not have private medical insurance, appointments at most private medical centres cost between €50 to €70 per consultation.